A cowboy protector from her past… A McKade Law novel Working her first case as deputy sheriff with her ex-boyfriend, Detective Cord Goodwin, Kendall McKade is determined to track the kidnappers–even if it makes her a target. Desperate to find the abducted victim, his aunt, Cord must keep Kendall safe…while also caring for his recently orphaned nephew. Teaming up threatens to rekindle Cord … threatens to rekindle Cord and Kendall’s relationship, but first they must solve a life-threatening mystery.
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TAKEN IN TEXAS by Susan Sleeman is the fourth book in the McKade Law series. It’s the story of Kendall McKade. Deputy Kendall works under her father, who is the sheriff, and is working to get promoted to detective.
The story starts off with Kendall doing a wellness check which quickly turns to a missing person and an assault on a police officer when she is blindsided by an intruder in the home and Eve Smalley is nowhere to be found. Enter out of town Detective Cord Goodwin, who unbeknown to Kendall, is Eve’s nephew and just happens to be Kendall’s ex-boyfriend. They team up to find Eve, but they both seem to feel the original sparks intensified. They will have to work together, but both pull back keeping their emotions in check. It didn’t work then and couldn’t work now either – could they?
Kendall’s heart goes out to Cord when she finds out about his terrible losses. She sees the difficult situation he’s in trying to raise his nephew he’s in the process of adopting. Lucas is 12 going on 22 having had his life turned upside down lashing out at Cord with the brunt of his frustrations. Kendall steps in offering support in the way she knows – her faith and love.
The way Susan Sleeman tells this exiting story of the rekindled romance between Kendall and Cord and how they work together to solve the crime of his missing aunt in a excitingly gripping way will have you sitting on the edge of your seat turning the pages while trying to figure out whodunit only to get it wrong more than once. It’s a book full of surprises that reminds you of the old saying “It’s not over until the fat lady sings.” Just don’t think it’s headed to the happily ever after until the very last page! I enjoyed the author’s attention to detail on the police details and procedures which made it informing and realistic. I love the way she works hope, love and faith as a running thread throughout the book.
I highly recommend TAKEN IN TEXAS to anyone that loves a fantastic suspense story, an exciting romance story, or just a great all round Christian story. It can definitely be read as a standalone book. If like me now, you will want to check out the stories of the rest of the amazing McKade family by reading the rest of the books in this series. I know I will be!
If you enjoy romantic suspense then I would recommend this page turning book. You never know what’s going to happen from one moment to the next, which I love!
In Susan Sleeman’s mystery, two law enforcement officers must work together on a case in which personal and professional lines continue to cross. Cord’s aunt has disappeared, and Deputy McKade is assigned to the case. Another tricky aspect is that Cord and McKade were previously a couple, and they both harbor feelings for each other. Will one or both of them confess up to their feelings? Will they find Aunt Eve safe and sound, or has the unthinkable happened? As always, Sleeman has done a great job or melding romance and suspense. This book is the final installment in a series, but is can stand alone on its own, too. Personally, I appreciate that her books are wholesome, and that she doesn’t use them as a political pulpit! Instead, she always presents a suspenseful and touching story, with well-developed characters with whom the readers is sure to empathize.
When I pick up a Susan Sleeman book, I know I’m in for a gripping, intriguing read. Taken in Texas starts out strong with a missing woman, a feisty and courageous heroine, and a strong-willed, take-charge hero who just happens to still have feelings for said heroine. I enjoyed the interaction between Kendall McKade and Cord Goodwin as they tried to dance around and control their lingering feelings for each other.
Sleeman’s strong background in law enforcement research shines through this story as her knowledge gives the tale authenticity. The creative twists and turns in the book add a dimension of surprise and intrigue. Themes of forgiveness of self and others, importance of family, and trust in God are woven seamlessly throughout.
Although this is the last book in the McKade Law series, it can easily be read as a standalone story. It was an added bonus for me to see characters from the other books show up in this one. All in all, it’s a great conclusion to the McKade series. I would recommend this to those who enjoy clean Christian romantic suspense. 4 ½ stars rounded to 5.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the author/publisher. All opinions are my own.
The last of the McKade Law Series, Taken in Texas by Susan Sleeman is a juxtaposition. On the one hand, there is the warmth and welcome emanated by the McKade clan. Sleeman describes the ranch and the extended family so well, one could almost hear the laughter and feel the family hugs. On the other hand, desperation seeps out as Cord and “rookie detective” Kendall McKade hit brick walls investigating his aunt’s disappearance.
Can Kendall and Cord forgive themselves and work confidently together despite their past to find his aunt before time is up, or will time expire for Kendall as well?
Sleeman’s action is always heart-pounding and unpredictable. What I didn’t foresee coming was the “false ending.” That left me reeling, as well as the characters.
If you enjoy Christian romantic suspense, read Susan Sleeman. She defines it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are my solely own.
I loved all the McKade family stories, and I’m so sad this is the last one! I enjoyed Kendall and Cord’s journey together, both working on a mystery as well as facing struggles of the heart. They’ve both fought hard to be in control of their lives, but as the mystery spins out of control, they realize they have no control at all of what happens to someone they love. The theme of loss is huge as well. How do you handle unexpectedly losing someone you love? Why do some people die and others survive? Where is God in all of this? The conclusion of the mystery and the answers to their questions were both heartwarming and satisfying.
Taken in Texas
Susan Sleeman
Will Kendall and Cord be able to find his aunt before something bad happens? In order to do this they must put their past behind them to work together.
Suspense from beginning to end that keeps you reading to find out what happens next.
Hate it was the end of the series, but a great way to end it.
When Kendall McKade does a welfare check on one of her county’s elderly citizens, she’s thrown back into the orbit of Cord Goodwin, the man whose heart she broke several years ago.
Cord has experienced some tragedy in his life and is determined not to lose anyone else he cares about. Even though they are no longer together, Kendall falls in that category.
While the investigation and action surrounding what happened to Cord’s aunt are as spot-on and intense with plenty of surprises popping up for these two working together, the struggle Cord has with survivor’s guilt, his relationship with his nephew, and his relationship with God are what spoke loudest to me in Taken in Texas. Even better, both these characters experience an emotional and spiritual growth spurt during this book.
I’m going to miss the McKade family of tough law enforcement professionals, but the great thing about books is I can visit as often as I’d like.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
This romantic suspense novel is an incredible adrenaline rush!
I loved this final visit to Trail’s End Ranch. It was great seeing what is going on with the main characters from the first 3 books now that their lives have settled down. I’m so happy that Kendall got her own story. She has been so helpful in the previous books. Now I know what happened that made her decide that she was going to remain single.
It was also wonderful getting to know Cord and his nephew Lucas. They are dealing with so much pain and heartache. They were definitely in need of the loving McKade family coming around them to help them deal with things.
The journeys that Kendall, Cord, and Lucas have to take to learn to let go of things and trust God were fantastic. I was able to learn some things along with them.
The plot of the mystery was thrilling. It kept me guessing throughout the book. I had to take a few breaks to calm down because I was so caught up in it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. All opinions expressed are my own.
Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion – which I’ve done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*
3.5 stars
“Something was wrong here. Terribly wrong.”
As Deputy Kendall McKade conducts a welfare check on an unresponsive member of her community, she never expects to become a victim, or to come face-to-face with Detective Cord Goodwin. The now missing woman, Eve Smalley, just happens to be Cord’s aunt and after being unable to reach her, Cord has driven over to the home himself. . . . . finding Kendall on the floor of the residence following a painful altercation with an intruder.
Six years. It has been that long since Kendall has seen Cord; after their break-up, Cord left their local department and moved to Houston, but it seems that time and distance has not erased the unmistakable current of attraction between them. Perhaps they had been too hasty? Now is not the time to be reminiscing; a woman is missing and they have a job to do. Find Eve Smalley.
Kendall and Cord have a lot to learn about God’s timing in their lives, and between the pages of “Taken in Texas” they discover that God has a wonderful way of working out the details.
I received a copy of this book from the author. The opinions stated are entirely my own.
RELENTLESS PURSUIT!
TAKEN IN TEXAS (McKade Law # 4) is a thriller! Susan Sleeman ends this series with a BANG! Each of these books can be read as a stand-alone but needs to be read in sequential order to best understand the flow of the family and the growth of the characters. The McKade Family is unique that almost all of the family members are involved in some type of Law Enforcement. Even their Grandfather is a Retired Sheriff. Each of them has a special skill set and they usually are backing up a family member when they go on a call. This also means they know each other’s personal business – sometimes way too much!
Sleeman delivers a fantastic finish to the series as she leads readers on a thriller of an adrenaline rush. Deputy Sheriff Kendall McKade makes a simple stop for a Wellness Check, meets a madman wielding a rolling pin with her name on it and is rescued by Cord Goodwin, the Lawman who broke her heart. Kendall and Cord team up to find his missing Aunt while fighting off their growing mutual attraction. Even the safest places become vulnerable against a killer intent on settling his score with Kendall. The relentless pursuit is intense and the ending will completely take you by surprise! I was provided an ARC by the author. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence. I have preordered a copy of this book for my own personal library.
I will certainly miss the McKade clan! They were a great family! It was so nice to read Kendall’s story though. Kendall wants to be a detective and this is her first case. An elderly woman is missing and it’s up to Kendall to find her….too bad it’s the aunt of her ex-boyfriend, Cord Goodwin! When things didn’t work out with them, he moved away and Kendall hasn’t seen him since so imagine her surprise when Kendall gets clocked by a wooden rolling pin and knocked out and as she comes to, the first person she sees is Cord!! Not what she expects or wants!! It soon becomes evident that Cord’s aunt has been kidnapped and he’s NOT leaving town until she’s found so he’s going to work right along Kendall’s side to find her! Just great….. Kendall’s family never did understand why they broke up so they welcome Cord right back into their lives! Oh, and Cord now is raising his teenaged nephew! There’s a lot of action going on with the case AND at home! You’ll definitely want to be reading this finale in the McKade series! It wraps up nicely and is very enjoyable!
We are back with the McKade clan, and this time the story belongs to hardworking deputy Kendall McKade, who is doing all she can to becoming a detective in the near future. She’s a strong minded, relentless woman trying to make it in a man’s world, especially when her father is the Sheriff and her brother’s and relatives are all in law enforcement.
When she does a wellness call, little did she know her life would change forever. Not only does she encounter an intruder, but the woman missing is the aunt of her former boyfriend, Cade. When he comes to town to check on his aunt, these two end up working together to find her. Will they find the aunt? Will they rekindle their relationship and will Cord find his way back into trusting God with his life and choices?
It’s a plot filled with suspense , twist and turns, hope and romance. A reminder that we need to trust God to help us not only on the easy things in life, but especially when we are going through sadness and losses.
It’s a bittersweet moment when you know you have read a great series, but will have to say goodbye to the characters you have come to love.
I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
‘You can’t claim responsibility for someone’s death without also claiming to have power over life and death. You don’t have that. Only God does.’
Susan Sleeman takes her readers for quite a thrilling ride on this last in her McKade’s Law series . In my opinion, this is the best! This one features Kendall McKade, who is on her first case as a deputy sheriff in Lost Creek, Texas. A missing senior citizen turns out to be the aunt of her ex boyfriend, Cord Goodwin. When she surprises an intruder at the woman’s house and is hurt, Cord shows up looking for his aunt and finds her unconscious on the floor. Cord now must find his aunt, keep Kendall safe and also mend his relationship with his new orphaned nephew, who he is adopting. Kendall broke up with Cord because he was so controlling, but now she must depend on his for someone is targeting her.
Sleeman is at her best here, giving us more than one mystery, springing surprises along the way and teaching us a very valuable spiritual lesson. Those wonderful lessons is something she does in every book and it’s quite good here. I thoroughly enjoyed this one and highly recommend it. Now I look forward to what Susan Sleeman will bring her fans next. It’s sure to be good!
*My thanks to the publisher and author for a preview copy of this book. A positive review was not required and the opinions expressed here are entire my own.
Kendall has always tried to prove herself more capable than what her brothers or dad see her as and getting the detective job is a good starting point. This is the first test of what could be a new career for her. She’s competent and level-headed, if only others around her would quit treating her like the little sister & girl they still view her as. Going off half-cocked puts her in danger when she see’s the abductors face. Ex-boyfriend Cord becomes concerned when he can’t get a hold of his Aunt Eve. Driving from Houston to her property, he runs into Kendall knocked out cold on her kitchen floor and his aunt nowhere in sight. After the shock of seeing each other wears off, they must work together to find his Aunt before it’s too late! Add to the mix, his own nephew whom he has guardianship of, and the danger factor ramps up. Can they find enough clues to rescue Eve before it’s too late?
Definitely a page turner and plenty of thrilling action to keep the story moving! It left me trying to piece the clues together along with Kendall and Cord. As for the romance, there were reasons they never made a go of it years ago and trying to work past those feelings is a challenge they aren’t sure they are up to. He has plenty of guilt and self-blame to overcome, and she has a drive to prove herself that often distorts her logic and puts her in danger. It’s interesting to watch the character growth in these two. Learning to let go of things and place them in the Lord’s hands isn’t always easy, but must be done in order to move on in life. These two learn that lesson the hard way it seems! Another great suspense and riveting conclusion to the McKade family series. I will miss this clan of law enforcement agents, they became like my own! I can’t wait to see what’s next from Sleeman, it’s always a guaranteed thrilling suspense story.
*I received a complimentary copy from the author and was under no obligation to leave a favorable review. All opinions are my own. *